The age and quality of your mattress have a major impact on how you feel.

A worn-out mattress can certainly contribute to back and neck problems. Most experts agree that traditional mattresses should be replaced every 5-8 years. Since you spend about one third of your life in bed, choosing the right mattress is critical.

Unfortunately, mattress selection is a highly individual process as there is no single “best” mattress. However, the following tips will help you make a better, informed decision:

• Choose a medium-firm model. Mattresses that are either too soft or excessively firm can aggravate back pain. Medium-firm mattresses are beneficial for individuals with chronic low back pain and were rated as more comfortable than soft bedding systems. Studies have shown that medium-firm mattresses improve sleep quality by 55% and decrease back pain by 48% in patients with chronic low back pain.
• Keep the pillow-top relatively thin. An excessively plush topper is the equivalent of placing a cheap mattress on top of a good one.
• Always replace the box spring foundation when you replace the mattress.
• Don’t choose the most expensive mattress in the store- but don’t set your budget unreasonably low. Bargain mattresses are not a good option. Your savings should be focused on avoiding unnecessary add-ons (mattress covers, custom sheets, pillows, etc).
• Look for vendors that provide an in-home warranty that allows you to exchange the mattress if it does not meet your expectations.
• Buying a mattress can be expensive and once we have bought one, we often do not want to have to buy a completely new mattress if it is uncomfortable after a few weeks of sleeping on it. Look for vendors that allow you to trial your new mattress for a set period e.g. 3 months, this way you will have the time to decide if this type of mattress is the best for you as an individual.
• Rotate your new double-sided mattress head to foot and turn it over completely once a fortnight for the first 12 weeks, then once a month (unless it’s a no-turn mattress, in which case just rotate it).
• Rotate latex and memory foam mattresses through 180 degrees monthly to prolong the life of your mattress.
• Go adjustable if you can afford it; When an individual has active control of bed properties (custom inflation), there is an improvement in spinal alignment as well as sleep quality.
• Warmth may help: In both young and older adults, warming the bed enhanced sleep.

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